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Compliments of

Philadelphia Mortgage Advisors

Phone: 610.834.8700

600 W. Germantown Pike | Suite 270

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Philadelphia Mortgage Advisors is a licensed mortgage lender by the PA Dept. of Banking and Securities, NJ Dept. of Banking & Insurance, the state of DE, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, MD Mortgage Lender #23004 and VA State Corporation Commission #MC - 6797. NMLS #128570.

       

 
 

Tax Plan in Focus

 
As expected, market moving news was scarce this week. It was a very light week for economic data. The primary source of volatility was Thursday's release of additional details about the Senate tax plan, but this had just a minor net effect. Mortgage rates finished the week a little higher.
 
On Thursday, the Senate released more information about its plans for tax overhaul. Of note, the Senate plan would delay a corporate tax cut until 2019. The House and the Senate now will work to reconcile their differences to come up with a plan that both will support. Investors will be keeping a close eye on progress on this front. In general, tax reform is expected to be inflationary and negative for mortgage rates. As a result, news indicating that the package will be larger or will go into effect sooner will be viewed as worse for mortgage rates, and vice versa.
 

Friday's report on Consumer Sentiment revealed that consumers remain very optimistic about current and future economic conditions. Last month, the index reached the highest level since 2004. While it dropped a little this month to 97.8, this was still the second highest reading of the year. In October 2016, prior to the election, the index was at a level of just 87.2. 

 
With the stock market near record levels, the unemployment rate the lowest in decades, and hopes for tax cuts high, it makes sense that consumers are feeling good about the economy. 
 
 
Looking ahead, Wednesday will be the big day with Retail Sales and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Consumer spending accounts for about 70% of economic activity in the U.S., and the retail sales data is a key indicator. CPI is a widely followed monthly inflation report that looks at the price change for goods and services. Industrial Production, another important indicator of economic activity, will come out on Thursday. Housing Starts will be released on Friday. In addition, investors will be watching for any changes in the tax reform plans. 
 
 
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All material Copyright © Ress No. 1, LTD (DBA MBSQuoteline) and may not be reproduced without permission.
 
 
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